Chapter 1

The Obsidian Claw Pack lives by one cruel, unspoken rule.

If an Alpha wants to take a chosen mate, the original Mate must publicly surrender her title. She has to take the Luna’s moonstone necklace off her own neck and place it upon the new woman.

The day Julian brought Vanessa to our territory, the whole Pack was waiting for me to lose my mind from the agony of his betrayal.

I was his Fated Mate. We’d been in love for seven years.

I survived bloody trials to earn this necklace. I took a lethal strike from a rival Alpha meant for his heart.

Everyone was sure I’d rather die from the agony of a damaged bond than give up my title.

But when Vanessa showed off the temporary Mate mark on her neck, I just calmly took off the necklace. And put it on her myself.

Julian swirled the wine in his glass. His predatory eyes were filled with arrogance and satisfaction.

“Valerie,” he said. “You’re finally learning your place.”

I looked down, my hand on my now-bare collarbone. I chose to obey.

But arrogant Julian was a fool. He had no idea.

A month ago, a fever brought all my memories back.

I wasn’t a Rogue. I’m the lost daughter of the Northern Alpha King. Missing for seven years.

In three days, my brother’s Royal Guard is coming to the territory border. They’re coming to take me home.

……

It was the Obsidian Claw Pack's full moon feast.

Vanessa tilted her long neck, showing off the ceremonial moonstone necklace to the high-ranking she-wolves around her.

Gasps went through the crowd. Then their mocking eyes landed on me in the corner.

Julian sat in the Alpha's seat, his dark eyes flicking my way now and then.

After basking in their admiration, Vanessa sauntered over to me, a glass of blood-moon wine in hand.

Her eyes fell to my wrist. To the lapis lazuli bracelet he had made for me three years ago.

The Moon Goddess runes carved inside were the only thing keeping my wolf’s agonized whimpers over her Mate’s rejection from ripping out of my throat.

The only thing keeping me from breaking down in front of them all.

Vanessa chuckled, leaning close to my ear.

"Valerie, you gave up the necklace. Don't you think you should give up the rest of the Luna's jewelry, too?"

She reached out, trying to snatch the bracelet.

I flinched away.

In a flash, she sloshed the deep red wine from her glass all over my dress.

A glaring crimson stain bloomed on the white silk.

The room gasped.

Vanessa stumbled, dropping her glass. It shattered on the floor. She let out a sharp cry, dragging her palm across a shard of glass. A thin red line welled up instantly.

"Valerie… why did you push me?"

She clutched the nearly invisible cut, her eyes welling with tears as if on cue.

"I just wanted to talk to you…"

The hall went dead silent.

Every wolf's eyes were on us.

For the past seven years, I’d thrown out any she-wolf who tried to get near Julian or challenge me. No mercy. I once threw an Omega who tried to seduce him into the pool in front of the whole pack.

This time, before I could even speak, the Alpha's power slammed into me. It forced my wolf to her knees.

A sharp pain shot through our mate bond as it was violently tugged.

I bit my tongue to keep from collapsing.

"Valerie."

Julian's voice came from behind me, cold as ice.

He strode over, pulling Vanessa into his arms. He examined her hand, which was already healing, his brow furrowed.

Then he looked up at me. The eyes I once loved more than anything were filled with disgust.

"What the hell is wrong with you now? I just brought Vanessa here. Why are you going after her?"

His Alpha command intensified. His tone was laced with accusation, his concern entirely for her.

I met his disgusted gaze, fighting the dull ache of our bond being rejected.

I didn't say a word. I just slowly unclasped the bracelet from my wrist.

I heard my wolf let out a hopeless whimper.

As the pack watched in shock, I held the bracelet out to Vanessa.

"You like it? It's yours. I'm sorry, I lost my balance."

Julian's brow twitched. A flash of shock in his eyes.

Vanessa froze too, forgetting to cry.

I took out a handkerchief, wiped the wine from my hands, and knelt down.

Every eye in the hall was glued to my back.

I picked up the scattered shards of glass.

The sharp edges cut my fingers. Drops of blood seeped out, mixing with the red wine on my dress. I couldn't tell where the wine ended and my blood began.

When I was done, I stood up and looked at Julian.

"My dress is ruined. I'm going upstairs to change."

I turned and walked to the second floor, my back straight.

Julian's eyes never left my back.

Back in my room, I shut the door. I leaned against it and closed my eyes.

Julian Thorne. For seven years, my loyalty was yours. Today, that devotion dies.